We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bryan Grant a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bryan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Bryan Grant Studios is renowned for its fearless approach to taking creative risks. It’s what keeps us competitive and in part why we’ve become the home to major studios, and Fortune 500 companies. When I look back at my beginnings the biggest risk I took was on myself. It was 2008 and the recession hit hard. I was let go from an advertising agency as a project manager, and I had no job in site. I had recruiters thinking I was nuts for wanting to start a motion design company and insisted that I stick with project management, which was the position I just left for the past 7 years. I was determined and had a vision. I had experience in motion design prior to moving to Los Angeles in 2003 and it was always my dream. I wanted to contribute in the making of studio movies and television. I edited a reel of the work I had done at that point and put it onto a website. I shopped it around to everyone I knew. It was a slow and cold winter until one day in late December I got an email from a friend of a friend who was looking for a week-long booking to help design and animate a DVD menu for 20th Century Fox, now 20th Century Studios. I accepted enthusiastically. Before I knew it that week-long booking was extended to a 4-month one. The lesson learned? Always bet on yourself.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As a kid, I always had an interest in creative endeavors, animation, and movies. I loved magic watching David Copperfield, and the curiosity and emotion of storytelling. At 14 I had a video production studio shooting and editing weddings, and bar/bat mitzvahs. I studied film in college and continued working in the industry as a videographer and editor in Chicago. At 23 I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dreams of working in the entertainment industry. It’s now 2023 and I own and operate a successful and independent motion design and animation studio, Bryan Grant Studios. Our clients range from movie studios, producers, celebrities, advertising agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. We’re known for our unique and memorable style of design and animation such as the logo development for Marvel’s Avengers: The Kang Dynasty & Secret Wars, NFL Thursday Night Football to CGI spots for Oreo, Nike, and Google just to name a few. My greatest joy is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with incredible artists from around the world with clients who dare to stand out in the crowd.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is driven by a relentless curiosity and an insatiable desire to explore the limitless realms of imagination. The thrill of uncovering new perspectives, experimenting with various mediums, and translating thoughts and emotions into tangible expressions fuels my artistic pursuits. The profound connection between creativity and self-discovery propels me forward, pushing the boundaries of my abilities and broadening my understanding of the world. The beauty of creative endeavors lies in their ability to evoke emotion, spark conversation, and inspire change, which, in turn, ignites my passion for continuous artistic exploration and the unwavering pursuit of meaningful self-expression.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
To keep morale high within a team or organization, it’s essential to foster a positive and supportive work environment. This can be achieved through several key strategies. First, clear and open communication is vital, ensuring that team members feel heard and valued. Recognition and appreciation for their efforts and contributions go a long way in boosting morale. Providing opportunities for skill development and career growth helps employees feel invested in their work and the organization’s future. Encouraging work-life balance, offering flexible schedules, and promoting a sense of camaraderie among team members through team-building activities can also contribute to high morale. Moreover, setting clear goals, offering constructive feedback, and celebrating achievements collectively can create a sense of purpose and motivation. Ultimately, a combination of effective leadership, a positive work culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth are key to maintaining high morale within a team.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bryangrantstudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryangrantstudios/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-r-grant-48a7692/
Image Credits
credits: Bryan Grant Studios,Inc